Hi,I have searched high and low to try to find out how to fly a backcourse approach in the PMDG737NG. Is somebody able to help me who knows how to do one?My second question is about the FMC. When planning the STAR, often at major airports there may be (VOR's I think) which appear under the "Trans" heading. I have tried using this in the approach 2 times, and both times, I end up overflying the airport at my cruise altitude. What am I doing wrong?Thankyou in advance and your feedback will be muchly appreciated,Jonathan Bautista-Trimming

I don't recall any of the Boeings having backcourse capability, it's just not something done much by part 22 carriers.The transitions are the connections between enroute and arrival. A basic STAR in the US is centered on a fix about 40 nm out called an approach gate. It is where you get handed from center to approach and you are usually at 10000-12000. Very few US STARs provide routes to the runways, it is all done by vectoring. Most STARs will have one to four transitions. The transitions get you to the approach gate, the STAR itself then usually takes you to the airport or if RNAV may even have downwind legs included (KLAS KATL etc) but to get from the STAR to the approach you need to be either navigating yourself or using an ATC service like VATSIM (NOT the default MSFS ATC I hope).If you are not descending, maybe you are not decreasing the MCP ALT... it will not descend unless you change the ALT.By the way, I provide a SIDSTAR collection of 66 US locations. Seems to be populare. I include the routes between runways and the SIDS or STARs.. look for cycle_0913_sidstars.zip in the AVSIM library. I got most of the SWA destinations that have SIDSTARS.

Hi,Thanks for the quick reply. I understand now that with regarding the STAR approach...to use a Transitional point, it would require manual descent calculations or that of ATC assistance/clearence. Thank-youI would of thought that the backcourse apporach is available on boeing aircraft as well. I fly in Europe and a lot of runways here are backcourse approaches. Is there a specific way to commit a backcourse approach then? How is it done?ThanksJonathan Bautista-Trimming

I would of thought that the backcourse apporach is available on boeing aircraft as well.

Boeing and Airbus - they do not offer autopilot mode for backcourse approach. But you can still fly them manually. You have to set your course to the front course and then your HSI will give you normal (not reverse) sensing. Be aware that backourse approaches are non-precision approaches, no glide slope. You can of course fly them with autopilot but using HDG and vertical modes.

Hi Michal,Thank-you. I understand now. I suppose then that your a bit unlucky if the visability is poor and you have to do a backcourse. Are these approaches only made when the pilot can see the runway or PAPI's, and if they can't, then is that when they have to divert?Thanks for your repliesJonathan Bautista-Trimming

Thank-you. I understand now. I suppose then that your a bit unlucky if the visability is poor and you have to do a backcourse.

Pilots have choices, for example they can do front course and then do circling. For some reason you seem to be preoccupied with backcourse approaches but the fact is they are done exceedingly rarely in transport category aircraft - even in Europe. One European Airbus pilot told me he had to do backcourse approach only once - in airline simulator training.EDIT: there is nothing wrong in practicing such approaches in this sim. It will make you a better pilot, perhaps you will master use of HSI and give you deeper understanding of avionics. Non-precision approaches always require more skill.

You wouldn't fly a backcourse unless it was published as one, which in this case it provides the minimums on the chart. If it isn't published, it won't be flown by commercial operators.